HorusKol‭

Okay - I found that both my Langmuir (Mountaincraft and Leadership) and my Mountaineers (Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills) have pretty good advice about lightning. I would advise anyone pla...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭  ·  last activity 13y ago by System‭

As long as you are washing with a front-loader, then putting in your water-proofs and washing on a low temperature with reproofer (instructions should be on the bottle) will get your get clean and ...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

Looking at the picture of your new pack, those 'smallish straps' appear to be compression straps to pull in your backpack once you've packed to stop the weight inside from shifting. I'd say they're...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭  ·  last activity 13y ago by System‭

Admittedly, my first aid training has lapsed - but the last mountain first aid course I took about 5 years ago made a point of matching the speed of onset. For example - if a person has fallen in...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

You need to distill it - I'm assuming that freezing is not an option (unless you're camping in the extreme latitudes). This is easiest, as the ice on top is almost pure water. Where you don't have...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

I'm not sure that this is something that can be properly explained over the internet. You really need to be instructed and supervised by a real person - preferably indoors first. I have found a pr...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

Most belay devices come with two holes for rope, for various reasons: Some devices are asymmetric and the two holes provide different friction Others are shaped with an up and down orientation, ...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭  ·  last activity 13y ago by System‭

As well as squeezing stress balls and pulling on fingerboards, I bought a powerball a few years ago after one of my friends lent me his. It really helps with the wrist and forearm, and if you get t...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

I would get a ceramic filter that is rated to remove metals like arsenic (this is a particular issue in the UK where most surface water in the wild country can harbour arsenic - but I'd rather assu...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

I would inspect your rope long before you get to the crag, rather than just before you're about to use/need it. Rope inspection is essentially going over the whole length of the rope, looking for ...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

This might sound a bit daft - but you could be holding on to the rock too tightly. Your other questions indicate you might be pretty new to climbing, and it is common for beginners to make this mis...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

You'd be much better off doing the research before you head into the areas - print off tide tables for where you are heading to and for the period you'll be there. Tide tables should be available ...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

This is why I like the pouches that have a zip-lock bottom as well as a cap on the top - it makes it a lot easier to clean the inside and leave it open to let it fully dry. My friend also swore by...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭

As Hartley Brody suggests, I would carry a few metres of para-cord, as this is a very tough and versatile rope which can be used for a lot of things in survival situations. However, if you are hea...

posted 13y ago by HorusKol‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

I answered a question about rope safety with some advice about retiring the rope after a "major" fall. Another user asked me what would constitute a major fall - and I have to admit that I can only...

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by HorusKol‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭